Violet Bistro

Having heard about this restaurant endlessly from friends, I finally got to visit for our wedding anniversary. This place is a gem in an old brick Westwood building. The patio where we sat was full of happy people and so they should be. We ordered a branzino and their famous steak au poivre with their equally famous scoop shaped pommes frites. The whole evening was sublime including the dessert that included a candle, I guess to mark our occasion. Definitely a place to revisit over and over.

While here in Los Angeles for work, I heard our executive team came to spend some quality time here for a cooking class. Later in the week, when our original idea fell thru because of a private event, we decided to swing by here for dinner. I guess because they know my company (this was my first time out here), we got seated pretty quickly as we were perfectly okay with outside seating (with the nice heating lamps behind us). We split a few appetizers (including the baguette and oysters for the other two people with me). I don't think we ordered the fries, but we may easily have. We also enjoyed a couple bottles of Sancerre.Suprisingly enough, the vegetarian item: the rotisserie cauliflower was very very good. The two people with me, who ordered burgers, were quite surprised by the presentation of it. It was truly a filling dinner. I did not realize that there may also be a Plantburger on the menu (or hidden). If so, I'll definitely try to grab that if I'm fortunate to make it here next time.

First time visiting and really enjoyed the ambience of this place. At the time we arrived they let us know that they had a private event at 7:15(arrived around 5:50ish). The workers never rushed us and i think it reflects at how well they manage their times with the tables. Our group decided to do drinks and small bites and when we were nearing the time they made sure to give us enough time for desserts. I got the violet sundae with vanilla and it was super good!The toppings on the oysters were so delicious as well. I also recommend trying their fries and baguettes.Really enjoyed my expierence here!

Very cute restaurant with a super cozy vibe. The staff and servers are extremely friendly and will help get you in and out of the restaurant as this is a goto spot for people trying to make a show at the Geffen Playhouse.The steak order was fantastic and even though you normally don't get salmon on tomatoes, it tasted pretty good. Also, the french fries were cut in a really cool way almost like chips, but they were served with just regular mayonnaise and ketchup, which was strange. I noticed there's just a little shortcuts here and there Whether it's the hot water picture they bring to you when you order tea or you think it would be a lot more vintage or the fact that you could order this amazing chocolate, mousse dessert and when they bring the check out to some people, I saw the servers had put Hershey's kisses on the little tray these guest's check. We thought that was so weird for this cozy little bistro to have you walk out the door with the taste of a cheap Hershey's kiss being the last thing you ate. What was that about? Either way, the food was delicious and it's good to have a choice like this around the neighborhood before I go see plays at the Geffen .

I cannot begin to tell you how much I am in LOVE with this restaurant. The service is fantastic, there's a valet at the curb and the food is outstandingly delicious. It's been 8 days since this place has been introduced to me and I've eaten here twice and have another res on the horizon for next week. Everything I've tried on the menu has been better than decent, but the magical Salade Mizou will continue to bring me back! My friend Tim recommended we get an order to share with the table. Now, I like salad but I'm not a CRAZY salad lady. That's about to change. Let me tell you, I CANNOT get this salad out of my head. It is very lightly dressed with a lightly tangy vinaigrette with a sprinkling of chopped pistachios that brought a sweetness to the lettuce and delicately shaved ossou-iraty cheese (yes, it was so good I had to find out it's name) that flavored the salad with a buttery, nutty goodness. I've probably now tried 60% of the menu + the Lup de Mer branzino special from the past week. The Smashburger with Emmentaler cheese was great, make sure you get it medium, don't kill it. Last week the Diver Scallops was set on top of a corn puree, which made for a rich savory sweet contrast to the seared scallops (the may have been a tad, small tad over done). I've tasted the Duck Leg Confit with grilled peaches & with a lentil & fennel stew. Both ways, the duck itself was good, moist with a crispy skin. I said to my eating mates that I rarely ever like duck prepared outside of an Asian restaurant, these to preparations of the duck surpassed my expectations. I tried the Steak Au Poive the first time of off someone's plate the ordered the steak for myself the second time. The sauce is buttery and caper-y without being too peppery. I ordered it medium rare, it was perfect and sliced like butter. Here's my only complaint, the bistro needs better desserts to live up to the expectations the mains have set forth.

Love the romantic and very French ambience here at night!! They have a delicious smashburger which I got for lunch here one day. The fries are crispy and nicely cut. Loved the cauliflower dish as well! Service is friendly and will be coming back!

What a Westwood Gem! This is an oasis of quiet delight in a neighborhood I am very familiar with at a place I have just discovered. The courtyard is a great spot for lunch. It is both inside and outside - therefore perfect for LA.We had salads, simple and tasty. The bread was fresh and warm, just like the service.Can't wait for my next rencontré

Absolutely beautiful setting. If this is of paramount importance to you, then this restaurant is a must. Beautiful interior, homey, warm, charming. Gorgeous and large courtyard, probably the most coveted tables. One of the most beautiful and charming restaurants in the city.Service is sharp. Just the right amount of friendliness, information, knowledge. Everything is timely but not rushed.Food. This is the rub. The food that we had was just OKAY. The menu is minimalist - 4 entrees, one being a smash burger in a French restaurant? Similarly lacking is an abundance of choices for starters. We had the fromage, which was a small piece of brie, heated and served with an applesauce-type compote and 5 over crisped crostini. Forgettable. For entrees we had the steak au poivre, the braised chicken and a side of fries as nothing is included with the entree. The steak au poivre was the best of the choices, a 4* and the fries were okay, a 3*. But the chicken was 2* at best, a thick brown sauce under a sizable portion of chicken with some very undercooked carrots and parsnips on top (they weren't very edible). The dish was overall very bland and visually unappealing. Prices were high for the quality of the food and the lack of choices. However they were doing a booming business, likely because they are basically the only (or one of very few) restaurant of its type in Westwood to enjoy pre-theater.That being said, I wouldn't go back. I got the best of the experience in the atmosphere in the one visit. Next time pre-theater, we will have to find a place further out and drive in vs. walk. That's okay.

Bonjour! I've visited this place three times. The first time, we had dinner, the food was delicious but the portions were extremely tiny. During our second dinner, the portions were a bit bigger, which was more reasonable, and the food remained delicious. However, the Caesar salad was overly dressed. The burger, chicken, and salmon were good.The third visit was for the Mother's Day high tea, which was a huge disappointment. They seated us in the upstairs outdoor area, which had tons of flies. The tea set was underwhelming. The croissant in the sandwich tasted store-bought, like the kind you get from Costco, lacking the flaky texture of a real French croissant. The scones were cold, tiny, and flavorless. The desserts were overly sweet. I could only manage two bites of the crème brûlée, almond chocolate tart, madeleine, and the gummy-looking thing on the bottom. We didn't even try the pink cake. The most concerning issue was a moldy strawberry touching the madeleine, though the staff did remove it, it was unacceptable.They do have a gorgeous courtyard which has great ambiance. The staff are friendly, but for the high price, it is not worth it. I expected a lot better.

Amazing dining experience!! I love this place. I'm so glad I found this place searching on Yelp! Beautiful decor inside with dim lights.Service was excellent! The host was great and so cheery! So cheery that she puts you in a positive happy mood immediately! Give her a raise please!! The details in the plates & cups were so beautiful!! and detail and care for each food and drink - were ah-mazingg! The food tastes fresh and delicious!!!The showstopper: the French onion soup!!The drinks were delishhhh and cute!Our waitress was excellent as well. Nice and attentive!Definitely will come back here!